State Rep. Glen "Bud" Smithson (D-Sallisaw) and State Sen. Kenneth Corn (D-Poteau) visited with residents in Roland, Muldrow and Sallisaw about their concerns and updated them on topics at the state capital.
"We are back in session," Corn told about 25 residents at a town meeting in Roland Friday, adding they had their first full week of the legislature.
The state budget seems to be the top priority this session, Corn indicated. Corn said the state has just $32 million in new revenue this year - with the Department of Corrections in need of $85 million. The state has also experienced millions of dollars in cuts from Washington, D.C., this year. Corn said the legislature also owes the $20 million they promised to teachers' retirement.
Corn explained that they will have to go through the budget and look closely at agencies and services and the state's priorities. Corn said the big issue is the budget.
He said there is a corrections problem in Oklahoma, noting the number of people in custody.
Another priority this year is public education, Corn said, adding they are trying to keep the promise of teacher pay raises, while dealing with health insurance, heating, and fuel increases.
Corn said an issue he thinks is important is a need for workforce development.
"We're finding that we're not sending enough kids on to higher education and career tech," Corn said.
Corn said the students who do go on to higher education end up leaving Oklahoma because there are no jobs. But since there is no workforce, the state can't attract good jobs.
Corn has authored a Second Century Promise Act, which will target students who currently do not qualify for Oklahoma's Promise scholarship program, formerly known as OHLAP.
The program focuses on helping pay the cost of college for students who otherwise might not be able to afford it.
Corn's Senate Bill 2020 includes several key provisions, according to a press release about the bill. Those provisions include the following:
